2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cornerstones And Playmakers

It's time to start thinking about the 2012 NFL Draft. Of course, you know us here at Turf Show Times, we're always thinking about the draft. Yesterday, we took a closer look at the race for the top three spots in the draft, with the Rams all but guaranteed to have the second or third pick. Today, it's time to look at a 2012 NFL Mock Draft, this one from our friends over at Mocking the Draft.

This mock should appeal to the most nikki of draftniks because it goes two rounds and has tons of names you need to learn between now and April.

And what possibilities did this mock draft tease out? Let's take a gander after the jump.

This mock has the Rams picking second, going with USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil.

Kalil looks like the consensus second pick in the draft unless some team trades up for a shot at Robert Griffin III or another quarterback who gets more buzz as the draft season rolls along this spring. Dan at MtD postulates something interesting about the Kalil pick, noting that Kalil is that rare left tackle teams could be interesting in trading up to get.

Of course, if the Rams had the chance to pick Kalil, they'd have to give it serious consideration, depending on what some other team might offer in trade. With so many needs throughout the roster, the more high picks the Rams can get, the better off they are for the future.

If the Rams are picking third, it's unlikely that Kalil will be there, unless a team trades up for a quarterback.

Dan has LSU corner Morris Claiborne picked third with Matt Barkley following him.

Jumping down to the second round, things get more interesting. In this mock the Rams select North Carolina WR Dwight Jones.

At 6'4" 225 lbs, Jones has the big body so prized for NFL receivers. He's similar to Julio Jones in how he uses his physical skills, but lacks the polish and sub-4.4 forty that Jones had coming into the draft. Check out his scouting report. He's one of those players that could jump up into the first round with a good offseason.

For the Rams, Jones would be a much better version of Danario Alexander, a healthier version. Jones can work parts of the field that DX cannot, and he also has more explosiveness out of his stance.

Picked after Jones in this mock draft is Rutgers receiver Mohamed Sanu, another player who has to be on the radar for the receiver-needy Rams. Check out a scouting report on Sanu here.

Some other possibilities to consider based on this mock include LB Vontaze Burfict, who could play on the weakside for the Rams. DT Brandon Thompson from Clemson would beef up the middle of the Rams line as a replacement for Fred Robbins. Baylor WR Kendall Wright is another possibility to consider based on his speed and the Rams total lack of it on offense.

Anyway, go check out the MtD Mock Draft.